Thursday, April 30, 2009

Global Day of Action

Join Amnesty International and death penalty opponents all over the world in supporting the Global Day of Action for Troy Davis on May 19th.

Troy Davis has been on death row for 18 years in the state of Georgia. He may be guilty but he might not be. Troy Davis faces execution for the murder of Police Officer Mark MacPhail in Georgia in 1989, despite a strong claim of innocence. In the last few years 7 out of the 9 witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony. One of the remaining 2 witnesses is the alternative suspect. There is a strong stench of police coercion in a number of the testimonies. No murder weapon was ever found and no physical evidence links Davis to the crime. None.

Go to the US Amnesty International website for information and to find out what you can do to help. We need to make sure that Troy Davis is given a fair hearing in line with the bare minimum of international standards around capital punishment. The death penalty is not remedial if we get it wrong.

If you are interested in knowing more about this case I attach a link to the article about the case of Troy Davis, called Where is the justice for me? Please read. It’s important.

4 comments:

I have been a member of AI for years and have already sent numerous letters about this case to georgia officials.I have also attnded many anti-death penalty protests while living in California.I will never be convinced that death is a suitable punishment.

Me too Bob though I have never been to an actual death penalty protest as we have no death penalty in NZ. I have sent lots of letters to overseas officials though over the last few years.

Thanks Xanadu. In this case AI aren't saying he's not guilty, they're saying there's a reasonable chance he's not and so the case needs to be re-examined. On ethical grounds I could never sit on a jury where the death penalty is an option.

Totally agree Stu, before someone is put to death, there has to be no doubt of guilt. Even then I don't think it's ever right but there's a lot of people around the world who disagree unfortunately.